Archive for May 15th, 2006
East Nusa Tenggara is, in many ways different from the rest of Indonesia. It is geographically, ethnically and culturally a border area where the transition from Asia to Australia and Micronesia takes places.
The islands of East Nusa Tenggara are formed by the protruding peaks of a mountain chain which begins in northern Sumatra, stretching across Java toward the east. But unlike Sumatra, Java and Kalimantan, which are separated from the Asian mainland by shallow seas, the islands of East Nusa Tenggara have apparently always been separated from the Asian landmass by deep sea-beds. The arid landscape of eastern and southeastern Nusa Tenggara is the result of hot and dry winds coming from the Australian continent.
In many coastal areas not a drop of rain falls during most of the year. The rainfall varies between 50 mm and 200 mm a year. Temperatures vary from hot in coastal areas (30-35 degrees C) to cool in mountainous areas (15-17 degree C).
The province of East Nusa Tenggara comprises 566 islands. The three main islands are Flores, Sumba and Timor.
Flores, a long island located between Sumbawa and Timor, is strewn with volcanoes in a mountain chain dividing it into several regions with distinctive languages and traditions, scenic beauty, good beaches, and natural wonders. The name is Portuguese for ‘flower’, as the Portuguese were the first Europeans to colonize East Nusa Tenggara.
Occupying a unique position at the junction of the Australian and Asian submarine ridges, between the two distinct fauna regions marked by the Wallace Line, here is one of the world’s most dynamic marine environments with nearly every species of coral and tropical fish represented.
Predominantly Catholic, there are several examples of its Portuguese cultural heritage like the Easter Procession held in Larantuka, and the royal regalia of the former king in Maumere.
Sumba, formerly known as the Sandalwood island, is known for its horses and Sumba cloth. The island is famous for its arts and handicrafts, particularly the textile ‘ikat’ weaving.
Sumba, however, is not for everyone. Neither the food nor accommodation are up to international standards. But if you are willing to make some sacrifices, you can see an authentic, ancient culture with none of the layers of Hinduism or Islam mostly found elsewhere in the country.
The island is roughly oval in shape. The greatest concentration of those who worship spirits (ancestral and those of the land) is found in West Sumba where two-thirds of the population hold on to their traditional belief. It is here where incredible rituals take place, o.a. the ‘pasola’ where hundreds of horsemen fling spears at each other. (The government allows the ritual to take place, but the spears must be blunt).
Although some exist in East Sumba, it is in West Sumba that one can find a greater number of huge megalithic tombs and traditional thatched and peaked huts raised on stilts.
Many traditional activities, all with a part paying homage to the spirits, take place in the months of July through October. These include the building of ‘adat’ houses and burials when sometimes hundreds of pigs, water buffaloes, horses, and dogs are sacrificed. Other ceremonies include the ‘pajura’ or traditional boxing, the festivals for the lunar new year in October and November, and August 17, Independence Day, horse races and ritual dances.
Timor is the principal island in terms of population where the capital of the province, Kupang, is located.
Timor is rich in various cultures, beautiful sceneries, and a wonderful nature. Made up of dry, rocky land, isolated communities, rolling cattle land, a variety of styles of architecture, Timor is basically something that possesses its own original characteristics.
Unlike some other parts of East Nusa Tenggara, the roads in Timor are generally good and public transportation is relatively well developed. Tourist facilities and accommodation are improving constantly and tourist spots are now more accessible due to the upgrading of many roads.
Flores Island
The cool town of Ruteng lies at the foot of a mountain, and can be reached by air from Denpasar and Kupang, or overland from the western part of the island via Labuanbajo, or from the east via Ende-Bajawa.
Besides the famed Komodo Dragon (lizard), the area has many attractions such as the ‘caci’ dance, a wildlife reserve and archeological caves. The highest mountain on the island, Mount Pocoranaka, is practically unexplored. In the cool and misty mountains, Lake Ranamese offers water sports and fishing, with lodgings available. Liang Bua Cave, 13 km. from Ruteng, caused a minor sensation not so long ago, when rare prehistorical fossils were found.
Sumba Island
The hand-woven ‘ikat’ textiles of this region differ from those in other areas of East Nusa Tenggara in that the motifs are larger.
The capital of West Sumba is Waikabubak and can be reached by air from Kupang and Denpasar via Waingapu, or by sea from Waikelo harbor.
The traditional ceremony known as ‘Pasola’ is performed by horse-riders armed with spears, where two villagers face each other in a mock but far from innocent battle. These ceremonies are held each year in Wanokaka, Kodi and Lamboya around February and March, and on certain holidays such as 17th August, when dance performances and horse races are also held in conjunction.
Sumba’s Sandal horse are the offspring of Arabian horses brought by Indian traders who came in search of sandalwood.
Waingapu, the capital of East Sumba, can be reached by plane from Kupang and Denpasar, or by sea from Kupang, Surabaya and Ende. It has a port to export horses and cattle.
Near Waingapu, Kuta Beach is a good place to relax, and further down coast, near Baing (125 km from Waingapu), there is great surfing at Kalala Beach. The waves are best from December to May.
May 15th, 2006
Maluku is the only Indonesian province in which land makes up just 15 percent of the area’s total surface. In many places the surrounding seas could be thousands of meters deep. Maluku is a transition zone between the Asian and Australian fauna and flora, and also between the Malay-based cultures of western Indonesia and those of Melanesia.
1027 islands support a population of less than 1.7 million people. At least 622 island are uninhabited. Air and sea transportation are the main means which link the islands together. The province has 32 seaports and 20 airports. Good roads on many of the islands provide easy access to the often remote places of interest.
A great variety of endemic plant and animal species are found in the rugged forest-covered and mountainous hinterlands of most of the islands. A few of the best known are the Racker-tailed Kingfisher, the Red-crested Moluccan Cockatoo and various brilliantly-colored lorikeets and parrots.
Most of Maluku sits astride one of the world’s most volatile volcanic belts. The region has known more than 70 eruptions in the last 400 years. Tremors and volcanic eruptions are by no means rare events at present. Many islands, in fact, look from a distance like volcanic cones rising right out of the sea.
There are two seasons that are suitable for sailing to these islands: February-March and October-November, when the wind and the waves are low.
Formerly known as the Moluccas, these islands are the original Spice Islands which in the 16th and 17th centuries lured the major seafaring nations of Europe to come to trade and to establish their power and influence in this part of the East.
Chinese annals of the Tang dynasty from around the middle of the 7th century A.D. make mention of a land named Mi-li-ku. The 14th century Javanese manuscript Nagarakertagama mentions the name Maloko, meaning the island of Ternate, part of this province, which in the 17th century was known to the Portuguese as Moluquo.
It was Nicoli de Conti, however, who in 1440 revealed the existence of the Spice Islands to the Europeans. Using his information, Fra Maura drew his world map, and soon the race to the East began. In 1511, the Portuguese built their first fort in the area on the island of Ternate and established their monopoly of the clove trade.
The Spanish also came, but posed little trouble to the Portuguese. The Dutch, who arrived in 1599, on the other hand, proved to be their toughest contestants in the quest for Maluku’s treasures. Armed conflicts broke out, taking a toll not only among the two rival European powers, but also among the local populations. The Dutch finally emerged as winners and established their trade monopoly with iron hand. Whole villages were razed to the ground and thousands of islanders died in the so called Hongi expeditions launched by the Dutch to maintain their trade monopoly, especially on the island of Banda.
The British occupied Maluku for a brief period during the Napoleonic war between England and France. Dutch rule was restored in 1814, leading to a new rebellion under Matulessi which the Dutch suppressed with difficulty. The compulsory cultivation of spices was abolished in Maluku only in 1863.
Traces of that turbulent period in Maluku’s history can still be found on a number of islands. However, Maluku’s great attraction for present-day visitors is its sea gardens, beaches and the beauty of the land. Music and dances and hybrid culture in general, are among the strong touristic drawing cards. Fish and other sea products are nowadays Maluku’s major sources of revenue, but nickel, oil, manganese and timber also contribute to the province’s wealth.
Ambon Island
The town of Ambon is built at the foot of Mount Nona, overlooking Ambon Bay. It is the provincial capital of Maluku. Ambon has a number of interesting sites of historical and cultural interest. Among them are the remnants of some old forts built by the Dutch East Indies Company during the days of the spice traders.
The ANZAC War Cemetery near the town of Ambon is the site of services held every year to commemorate the Allied soldiers who died in the region during world War II. During the month of August, the Darwin-Ambon Yacht Race takes place.
Ambon has many wonderful beaches and coral sea gardens, among them are: Batu Capeu Beach, 4 km from Ambon bay, where there are hotels and restaurants; Poka-Rumahtiga Beach, 21 km from Ambon, where canoeing, water-skiing and boating competitions are frequently held; Tanjung Marthafons Beach, 21 km from Ambon, where facilities for canoeing, water-skiing and sail-boating are available and Amuhusa Beach on Ambon Bay, which has great views and coral reefs.
Banda Island
Banda Island lies 132 km south of Ambon and is only 44 sq. km. in size. It has a harbor, exquisite sea gardens and excellent beaches. Its produce is cloves, nutmeg and maize, which the Dutch, Portuguese and British came to buy during its long and turbulent history.
The Banda group of islands are perched on the rim of Indonesia’s deepest sea, the Banda Sea. Near Manuk Island, the waters reach a depth of more than 6,500 meters.
The nearest surrounding islands are Lonthor (or Banda Besar), Neira (or Banda Neira) and Gunung Api. The 650 meter high volcano on Gunung Api is still active.
The marine environment around these islands is simply wonderful. Around almost every island is surrounded with a sea garden rich in decorative corals and fish. Facilities for sightseeing, snorkelling and skin diving are available, as well as clean, comfortable cottages.
Buru Island
This rather large island, surrounded by rocky beaches with cliffs, is located east of Banda. Most of the land is covered with forests that produce timber and it is famous for its malelenea (kayu putih) oil.
Central Maluku
Manuk Island is volcanic island inhabited by a white-feathered sea duck. The beaches are good for swimming and the waters are clear and clean.
Pombo Island is an atoll with a lagoon in the middle and it is part of a protected marine nature reserve. The island is inhabited by sea mews, Maleo birds and turtles. It is known for its coral reefs and plenty of sea shells can be found here. The waters in the lagoon are calm throughout the year.
Turtle Island and Lucipara Island are inhabited by thousands of turtles, which come to lay their eggs. Coral reefs grow in their surrounding waters.
Seram Island
This island is the biggest and oldest of Maluku. In several caves in the Wai Tala region, paintings found on the walls illustrate the people’s beliefs and man’s relationship with nature. The paintings are considered similar to those found in caves in Australia.
Tourists often visit the areas of the Manusela Valley and Lilialy Plain, where the soil is extraordinarily fertile. Here many vegetables are grown, including potatoes, cabbages and celery. The potato and celery plants sprout even after sections of land are cleared and burnt. The only irrigated ricefields in this province can be found near the town of Kairatu.
In some parts of the island, hunting is allowed. Thousands of wild boars live in the forests and many species of birds and butterflies are still found in abundance.
Ruta and Kuako Beaches are popular. Ruta is covered with flat stones of all sizes and Kuako with small white pebbles.
Southeast Maluku
Tual, on Kai Kecil Island, is the capital of this region of Maluku. The Kai Islands consists of several atolls and the reefs here are wonderful. Various species of turtle live here as well as pearl oysters and decorative fish.
On these islands also live the Bird of Paradise, black cockatoos, white cockatoos, parrots, dwarf kangaroos, kuskus and many other wild animals. Some of the best timber species of Indonesia are grown here, such as iron wood.
Shopping
Hand-woven textiles, wood carvings, bamboo utensils, hand bags made of tree bark.
See the archipelaGo listings for more information.
May 15th, 2006
The Cibodas bryophyte park, part of the Cibodas Botanical Garden (KRC) in Pacet subdistrict, Cianjur regency, West Java, and believed to be the only outdoor moss park in the world, was dedicated by Mrs Umar Anggara Jenie, wife of the Head of the Indonesian Council of Sciences (LIPI).
Head of the KRC Vegetation Conservation Institute Holif Immamudin said on the sidelines of the dedication of the 1,500-m2 bryophyte park, which will be expanded to 2,500 m2, located between Mt Gede and Mt Pangrango, that everything in the KRC is the biggest in the world.
“With its biggest outdoor moss park in the world, Indonesia will be known as a country which is serious in plant conservation,” he said.
Actually, Germany and Singapore also have a moss park, but indoor, and having only seven species, and the one in Japan has only 10 species.
He said that Indonesia is rich in biodiversity, as all the 3,000 different moss species in the world are also found in Indonesia, and 250 of them are found in the Cibodas Botanical Garden, he said.
But unfortunately, he said, the condition of one of Indonesia`s biodiversity lacked attention of the appropriate authorities, whereas moss has an important role to play in the life of human beings.
Some of the benefits of bryophytes he said moss maintains humidity of the air and land porosity, and is a water binder.
And moss of the Usnea species also has a medical potential, while a moss of the Spaghnum species is known to replace cotton, and could heal skin and eye diseases, and serve as a means for the growth of orchids. Moss of the marchantia species is known to heal hepatitis.
But all these moss species must first be clinically tested before using them as a medical drug.
The moss park is designed on the basis of a cultivated landscape.
Its strategic location makes it very easy for visitors to see it, because the moss park is only 600 meters away from the KRC entrance, and can also be reached through the Rhododendron Park and an asphalted road to Curug in Cibogo.
In the meantime, Bian Tan, program coordinator for Southeast Asia told the press that the moss species in Indonesia are the most complete in the world.
Besides, he added, as it is located in a tropical region surrounded by mountains, the air around it remains humid, unlike those in other countries like Germany, Singapore and Japan, which are located indoor.
The the bryophyte park was dedicated also on the occasion of the 154th anniversary of the KRC.
Source: Antara
May 15th, 2006